Overview

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued a September 8 office memorandum removing mandatory public consultations for mining of atomic, critical and strategic minerals, including uranium.
• Meghalaya hosts large uranium deposits in Domiasiat, Wahkaji and adjoining West Khasi Hills, where proposals have stalled for over two decades on health and environmental grounds.
• The Khasi Students’ Union called the waiver an assault on indigenous rights and vowed to resist any renewed exploration or mining.
• The Hynniewtrep Youth Council alleged the Centre is using new tactics after earlier UCIL efforts failed, while no site-specific approvals have been announced.
• The National People’s Youth Front urged KHADC chief Shemborlang Rynjah to invoke Sixth Schedule provisions, who said the council would examine the plea.